With the uncertain status of Matt Kemp and ongoing regressions elsewhere on the roster, the last thing the struggling Dodger offense needs is an injury to Andre Ethier.

But that's exactly what's happened.

In the first inning of Wednesday's game against the hard-charging Giants, Ethier was injured on what looked like a routine slide into second base. After conferring with trainers, he was removed from the game. The team later announced he strained an oblique muscle.